'Bored our way to the Premier League' - Burnley's Josh Brownhill on promotion

"We've bored our way to the Premier League," joked Josh Brownhill.

For any other team, 12 goalless draws may constitute to a tedious season but for Burnley, their remarkable defensive consistency has ensured they've sealed promotion back to the top-flight at the first time of asking.

Burnley have already broken the Football League's record of clean sheets in a season with 29 shutouts and barring an inexplicable implosion where they concede 16 goals in the remaining two matches, Scott Parker's outfit will go down as the greatest defence in Championship history after conceding only 15 goals this season.

It's been an exceptional season for the Lancashire club, who have been consistently branded "boring" despite their success.

The Clarets defeated promotion rivals Sheffield United 2-1 at Turf Moor on Easter Monday courtesy of a Brownhill brace and the midfielder was delighted to see the team rewarded for all of their hard work.

"I'm speechless. All that hard work this season," Brownhill told Sky Sports after Burnley's promotion was confirmed..

"We've been written off so many times, people calling us boring. We've bored our way to the Premier League.

"It takes a whole team. It's not just a back four, a goalkeeper, it takes everybody.

"I don't think a lot of the lads will sleep. I'm so buzzing for the lads that haven't played Premier League football."

Brownhill has been a talismanic figure in the Burnley team with the midfielder contributing 16 goals and five assists in the Championship this term.

His two goals extended the Clarets' unbeaten run to 31 matches and providing they avoid defeat in their final two game, Parker's side will match Reading's second tier undefeated record of 33.

Let's not forget that Burnley are still fighting with Leeds United for the Championship title as the promoted duo are level on points and both on course for 100-point seasons.

"We are going to go for it," Parker said.

That's the aim and that's exactly what we are going to do.

A return to the Premier League marks a third promotion from the Championship for Parker, who has previously achieved a place in the top-flight with Fulham and Bournemouth.

Where Burnley were an expansive side under his predecessor Vincent Kompany, Parker has returned to the Clarets' roots under Sean Dyche where defensive solidity is paramount.

Consisting of the extremely talented James Trafford in goal and a settled back four with Maxime Esteve and CJ Egan-Riley at the heart of the defence, Burnley have forged an impassable unit.

Retaining Trafford's services in the summer will be vital to their survival chances next term and the 22-year-old will be eager to prove himself following a difficult first experience in the Premier League.

Parker, speaking to the BBC, said: "There's no denying at the beginning of the season, the work we all had to do with Traff and where he was, there was a lot of work.

"He needed to engage in that. He needed to take a breath and take stock and decide where he wanted to be, and to be fair to him, I've seen someone mature. There's no denying that he's a world-class keeper."

Jaquob Crooke

• Burnley F.C.
• Premier League
• Championship
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